Adjustable reflector



Nov. 22, 1938. 5 MARGUUES I 2,137,881

ADJUSTABLE REFLECTOR Filed Sept. 10, 1956 INVIEINTOR I SamLLGL Jflmzqnlzes BY W ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to adjustable reflectors for use with lights, lamps, or the like.

, My reflector is particularly suited for use with flashlights, automobile headlightaor other types of lights which project the rays in a relatively concentrated form generally known as a spot. It is an object of the invention to provide an adjustable reflector which may be used in cooperation with a flashlight or other form of spotlight and which can be adjusted so as to reflect the spot of light at varying angles to the normal direction of its projection or so as to split the spot into two or more portions, one portion being projected in the normal manner and the other being reflected at an angle to the normal direction of projection. The angle or relative position of the reflected portion of the spot with respect to the normal angle of projection may be varied by adjusting the reflector. A further object is the provision in a reflector of the above character of an improved adjustable clamp or bracket for releasably attaching the reflector to lights of various sizes.

My invention contemplates the provision of a reflector having means for attaching it to a flashlight or other type of spotlight in such a manner that it can turn or pivot with respect to the light and can also be shifted towards and away from the light within predetermined limits so as to provide sensitive and accurate adjustment.

For a full understanding of the invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which-- Fig. 1 shows the upper end of a flashlight having an adjustable reflector-embodying my invention attached thereto; 4

Fig. 2 is a perspective view'of' the upper end of the flashlight with the reflector in a different position; m Fig. 3 is a view of the adjustable reflector detached from the flashlight; and

Pig. 4 is a partially-sectional view of the upper end of a modifled type of reflector.

In the accompanying drawing my improved ad- 45 justable reflector is illustrated as attached to a portable flashlight. However, as stated above, it is to be understood that it may be attached to spotlights of other types, such as automobile headlights. The flashlight illustrated is of conven- 80 tlonal type consisting of a cylindrical casing II in which, the supply of batteries is disposed, and an adjustable lens ll secured to the end of the casing through which the spot of light is projected from the electric bulb disposed adjacent v the up er end of the casing. The circuit of the bulb is opened and closed by a conventional type of switch illustrated at l2. 1

My adjustable reflector is so formed that it can be attached to a flashlight of the type illustrated or to flashlights of other sizes and shapes. 5 It consists generally of a clamp adapted to be attached adjacent the upper end of the flashlight, a bracket connected to the clamp so as to be shiitable with respect thereto, and a reflecting disk pivotally secured to the bracket so as to be 10 disposed in the line of projection of the spot.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention the clamp consists of a pair of similar arcuate bands i4 provided with horizontal corrugations or ribs to aid in holding the clamp in position on 15 the flashlight. The ends of the bands H are provided with laterally projecting ears l5- between which are connected the coil springs l6 thereby connecting the arcuate members together and .cooperable to cause the arcuate members to form 20 clampingengagement with the end of the flashlight when they are assembled around the flash- Y light in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Because of the spring connection IS, the clamp may be assembled around flashlights of various 25 sizes. The springs may either be permanently connected to the lateral projecting ears l5 or may be releasably connected thereto so as to facilitate the assembling of the arcuate members around the end of the flashlight. 30

Adjacent the central portion of each of the arcuate members and preferably formed integral therewith are the tubular projecting members ll through which the shafts l8 extend, the shafts having sliding engagement with the members ll. 35 Formed integral with the shafts ill at the upper end thereof is the connecting portion is to which the reflector 20 is pivotally connected as by means of the hinge 2 I, while the lower ends of the shafts it are provided with the stops 22. It, will be seen that due to this arrangement the shafts l8 maybe shifted through the tubular connecting members I! within predetermined limits between the stops 22 and the reflector 20.

In the first three figures of the drawing 1 have illustrated a reflector in'the form of a flat disk 20. However, it is to be understood that instead of this type of reflector. I may employ other types, such as the concave reflector 24 illustrated in Fig. 4. In this form of my invention the conso necting member between the shafts It may be curved as indicated at 25 so as to conform in shape with the outer surface of the concave reflector 24. As in the flrst form of my invention, the reflector should be pivotaliy secured to the u connectingportion I! as by means of a' hinge 2i. Both types of reflectors should have a high reflecting surface and may be made of any suitable material such as highly polished metal. I have found that the best results are secured by employing a reflector of a diameter at least the same size as the lens of the flashlight, although reflectors of other sizes may be employed.

In using my improved adjustable reflector in association with a flashlight, the arcuate bands I of the bracket are assembled around the .upper end of the flashlight as shown in the flrst two flgures, so that the shafts ll extend upwardly thereabove and the reflector 20 is disposed in the line of projection of the spot. When the flashlight is not being used the shafts II are shifted downwardly so that the disk 20 engages and rests upon the glass lens ll of the flashlight, serving as a protector for the lens.

When it is desired to use the flashlight the stops 12 should be pressed upwardly as indicated in Fig. 2, which shows in dotted lines a hand pressing the stops upwardly. It is not necessary that the shafts ll be shifted upwardly until the stops 1! engage the members I! as under many circumstances the desired results are obtained by shifting the shafts to an intermediate position. When the shafts have been shifted to the desired position the reflector II or 24 is then tilted or pivoted so as to'reflect the spot at the desired angle.

It will be found that by shifting the reflector to various positions variations in the'angle of reflection throughout a very wide range can be obtained. At certain positions only a portion of the spot is reflected, with the result that a double spot will be projected'one in the normal line of projection from the flashlight and another at an angle thereto. This is of great value where it is desired to illuminate objects at a distance from the user and close at'hand, simultaneously. My device will also prove ofmssistance where it is necessary to do emergency repairwork on automobiles and the like, or where it is desired to change a tire, as the light can be reflected at any desired angle by means of the reflector. My reflector will have many other uses where it is desired to reflect a light at an angle or to split the spot into several portions.

As previously stated, my improved reflector is applicable not only to flashlights but to other types of spotlights such as automobile headlights. By applying reflectors of this type to automobile headlights, the driver can have illumination at a considerable distance in front of the car and also on the road immediately in front of the car.

Various modifications may be made in the illustrated-and described embodiment of my invention without departing from the invention. Thus instead of employing the spring I 6 for holding the arcuate bands It in clamped relation, fasteners of any desired type may be employed.

It is also to be understood that clamps or brackets of different types may be employed in association with my reflector. Thus a spring metal clip may be employed to hold the reflector on the light. If desired instead of employing a removable bracket the reflector may be secured directly to the flashlight.

I claim:

A device of the character described comprising a portable flashlight having a light source, a reflector behind the light source, a supporting band disposed around the end of the flashlight adjacent the light source and formed with a pair of lugs on opposite sides thereof, a U-shaped bracket extending forwardly from the flashlight and supported in the lugs, and an adjustable reflector pivoted centrally on the U-shaped bracket, the supporting arms of the bracket being adjustable longitudinally of the flashlight in the said lugs, whereby the reflector may be adjusted, varying from a position covering the lens of the flashlight to a position parallel to the light beam in spaced relation from the flashlight, in which the reflector presents substantially no obmruction to the light beam from the flashlight.

SAMUEL GUI-IE8. 

